The Brief

Popular bakery Sweet Lady Jane, which abruptly closed at the end of last year, has been sued by former workers alleging wage theft and other illegal management practices.

Former employee Blanca Juarez, who filed the suit on behalf of herself and other workers, alleged that Sweet Lady Jane failed to pay overtime, provide meal and rest periods, pay minimum wage in some instances, and keep complete and accurate payroll records.

Juarez worked as an hourly worker for the bakery between October and November 2022, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed in June 2023, months before the beloved local bakery suddenly shut down.

In a statement posted to their website announcing the Dec. 31 closure, Sweet Lady Jane said, “sales are not enough to continue doing business in the state of California, allowing us to service our lease obligations and pay our treasured employees a living wage without passing those costs directly on to you.”

Sweet Lady Jane opened in 1988 on Melrose Avenue, becoming one of Hollywood's preferred bakeries. It later added five other locations, all of which are now closed. Prior to the closure, the bakery said it had been planning to add two new locations this year.

According to the Los Angeles Times, which first reported the lawsuit, Sweet Lady Jane has filed for a state alternative to bankruptcy. LAist has reached out to Sweet Lady Jane and Juarez's lawyers for comment.

The U.S. Senate has until Friday night to approve a package of funding measures or else risk another government shutdown. That package includes funding for child care subsidies, Head Start, and other services for young kids.

Senate Democrats have said they oppose the spending measure because it also includes funding the Department of Homeland Security. They want new restrictions on immigration enforcement, and to split it off from the other funding bills in the package in the wake of the killing of Alex Pretti by federal officers.

In addition to Head Start and child care, the bills in the six-part package include funding for infant and early childhood mental health, maternal health, and home-heating assistance,

“There is no reason that funding for children, for babies, for meeting their very basic needs should be contingent on whether or not ICE gets funding,” said Melissa Boteach, the chief policy officer at Zero to Three, an advocacy organization for babies and young kids. “[Young kids] are in the most rapid stage of brain development. They have immediate needs that need to be met.”

Head Start disruption: What could happen?

The last government shutdown in the fall lasted 43 days, and several Head Start programs in California nearly closed; at least one temporarily shut its doors. Boteach said there may be a few centers that are immediately affected, and others later on if a shutdown drags on, depending on when the center’s grant cycles starts.

Those most at risk are programs that have a Feb. 1 start date, said Melanee Cottrill, executive director of Head Start California, of which she estimated there are around 6-10.

Head Start is a federally-funded program that provides early education and other services to children in low-income families. “ For many of these children, these are also the most nutritious meals that they get every day [at Head Start],” Cottrill said.

“It's not guaranteed that they'll close their doors if there is a government shutdown. It really depends on whether they have other funding sources,” she added.

Federal funding for childcare subsidies for low-income children (which is administered through the state) is also part of the funding package. Earlier this month, President Trump said he would freeze that funding to California, though that action has been tied up in court.

“There's already been a good deal of instability in these programs and for families who rely on them and are just hopeful that the Congress can finish this off and, uh, be able to move forward,” said Donna Sneeringer, president of the Child Care Resource Center, which runs Head Starts and child care subsidy programs in the Los Angeles area.

“[Parents] feel very insecure — these temporary pauses… the family's lives don't pause,” said Mary Ignatius, who heads Parent Voices. “ Real harm happens to the child care providers, the families, and the children who cannot afford any delays."

In August 2024, the city of Los Angeles approved an agreement to pay more than a half-billion dollars to resolve a substantial number of schedule and compensation related disputes with the main contractor it hired to design, build and operate the LAX Automated People Mover.

It was thought at the time that some of that money would be passed down to subcontractors who were working on the 2.25-mile long elevated train, which is still scheduled to begin shuttling travelers around airport terminals and to the greater L.A. Metro system later this year.

A year and a half later, a major subcontractor alleges it still hasn’t received a penny of the tens of millions of dollars it says it’s owed from the settlement, which the city funded using public money it generates from airport-related fees and charges.

Early last year, LINXS, the main contractor, initiated a lawsuit blaming the subcontractor, Rosendin Electric, for deficient work. Rosendin Electric has responded in court filings, calling the lawsuit part of LINXS’ scheme to withhold settlement proceeds. The subcontractor has accused LINXS of engaging in “secretive, deceptive and improper conduct” and blocking testimony on key documents.

“Subcontractors whose work generated those funds are entitled to understand and recover their rightful share,” lawyers for Rosendin Electric wrote in court documents from October 2025. “Transparency here is not merely procedural; it is a matter of public trust and legal obligation.”

The design and construction of the train has been rife with disputes between the city and main contractor, leading to cost overruns that have eroded public confidence in the last piece of a rail-only connection to LAX. The case involving Rosendin Electric is one of at least two lawsuits that detail how LINXS’ relationship has frayed with the people the contractor hired to bring the long-awaited train into service.

LAist’s reporting for this story is based on publicly available documents related to the legal battle.

LINXS and Rosendin Electric declined to comment, citing pending litigation.

Jake Adams, deputy executive director overseeing $5.5 billion in LAX upgrades, including the People Mover, said Los Angeles World Airports “provides contract‑level oversight, but does not track how a developer allocates funds internally.“

LINXS sues Rosendin, blaming subcontractor for bad work and delays

Rosendin Electric anticipated completing its role on the project in July 2022, three years after it entered into a nearly $262 million contract with LINXS, according to court documents. LINXS hired the subcontractor to provide the labor, construction and assembly of various electrical components of the project, including the technology that powers the train and fire and life safety systems, according to an excerpt of the subcontract included in court filings.

Rosendin Electric’s lawyers said in court documents that despite “pervasive disruptions,” the subcontractor has continued to work on the project. The subcontractor’s lawyers continued, saying the company “relied on the expectation” that it would receive its “fair share” of any compensation the city provided to LINXS related to project delays.

The company wasn’t alone in expecting the funds to be filtered down.

According to a July 2024 presentation to the Board of Airport Commissioners, city staff said the settlement would be “advantageous” because it would ensure “subcontractors are paid sooner…providing cashflow to facilitate schedule certainty.”

In August 2024, L.A. City Council approved the agreement, known as the global settlement, to cover a wide swath of issues, including timeline, access to the airport’s IT network and compensation.

The settlement was to be paid out in increments as LINXS completed certain project milestones. All of the project milestones have been met except the final one, which is opening the train to the public. So far, that means the city has paid out more than $430 million.

Five months after the settlement was approved, LINXS filed a lawsuit against Rosendin Electric claiming breach of contract.

LINXS, which is a joint venture between four large international engineering and construction companies, alleges in its complaint that Rosendin Electric provided “defective construction services” that “deviated from technical requirements” and caused delays to the project.

Rosendin Electric denies the claims in LINXS’ lawsuit and later filed a cross-complaint.

LINXS’ alleged “secretive, deceptive and improper conduct”

Rosendin Electric claims the legal action LINXS initiated soon after the global settlement agreement was forged amounts to “excuses” that the contractor “began manufacturing” to avoid paying out settlement proceeds.

Among other allegations in its cross-complaint over breach of contract, Rosendin Electric claims LINXS:

• Rejected the idea that the subcontractor is entitled to any amount of the settlement.
• “Embarked on a scheme” to retain all of the settlement proceeds for itself by going after subcontractors who assert a “rightful claim to a share of recovery.”
• Stopped paying Rosendin Electric entirely, including “routine progress payments” unrelated to the settlement. 

In the latest development in the legal battle, Rosendin Electric’s lawyers said LINXS is trying to avoid testifying about two documents that “conclusively demonstrate that (Rosendin Electric) is entitled to prompt payment of tens of millions of dollars” from the settlement.

Another subcontractor sued

Within a month after the 2024 settlement was secured and before its legal action against Rosendin Electric, LINXS had also sued the design and engineering firm it hired in 2018 for breach of contract.

In its September 6, 2024 complaint, LINXS alleges that HDR overcharged for its services and produced work that “deviated from technical requirements.” That subcontractor denied the claims and later issued a cross-complaint, alleging LINXS owes more than $57 million for the work it’s done on the project.

Rosendin Electric’s lawyers called into question the timing of the lawsuit against HDR.

“LINXS could only advance this position after securing the LAWA Settlement because claims of fundamental design defects by its own design team would otherwise have provided LAWA with powerful defenses against LINXS’ claims for delay and compensation,” lawyers for the company have argued.

Both cases are ongoing.

After coming close to closing permanently just a few years ago, the historic Bob Baker Marionette Theater is about to have its biggest year yet.

In April, the 63-year-old puppet theater is set to perform at Coachella, the same week as its 12th annual Bob Baker Day festival. And in May, it will premiere Choo Choo Revue, their first fully original show in over 40 years.

Everything kicked off this past weekend with the premiere of Hooray LA!, marking the beginning of what the nonprofit theater’s leadership is calling a “milestone” year.

After a 'rough year for LA,' Bob Baker says, 'Hooray LA!'

Hooray LA! is a celebration of Los Angeles that was first performed in 1981. It was the last original show produced by the theater’s founder, Bob Baker, who passed away at age of 90 in 2014.

When the show was revived in 2024, it was updated to better reflect the diversity of L.A. history, with additions like a Grizzly Bear named Huunot and a rainbow trout named Wiggles explaining the significance of the L.A. River to the Gabrieleño Tongva people.

Huunot is a puppet featured in "Hooray LA!"

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The Bob Baker Marionette Theater

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This year, the show is back with even more new elements to celebrate L.A.

The theater’s co-executive director and artistic director Alex Evans says, “Last year was a very rough year for Los Angeles and we thought it was a perfect time to mount the show and celebrate everything that's special about the city.”

The new additions include Mexican hat dancers, a marimba player and a mariachi band with costumes modeled on the local LGBTQ+ mariachi band, Mariachi Arcoiris.

The first fully original show in 40 years

The theater is also now in preparation mode for Choo Choo Revue, which has been in the works for the past five years.

The idea is that the audience is on a train ride across America, looking out the window and having their imaginations sparked by things like a giant moose singing about the Pacific Northwest, glow in the dark bats, trees on skis and a sea lion singing a sea shanty.

“This is the first time,” Evans says, “that we have the resources, the support of the community — we had an incredible fundraising campaign at the end of last year — so we have truly just hit this milestone of being able to do it,  and it is tons of work and tons of money to put on a puppet show, and we’re so proud that we’re at that juncture now."

Back from the brink, and thriving

The milestone is all the more significant considering where The Bob Baker Theater was in 2020, along with so many other live performance venues.

Just four months after opening their new Highland Park location (after losing their original theater in Westlake/Echo Park), the pandemic shut them down. They pivoted to socially distant shows, created walk-through experiences for small groups and did performances online, but that wasn’t enough to keep things running.

So they made a public plea for $365,000 to stay open for a year, and Fagot says the community "turned up, and we had the support that we needed [...] in less than a month.”

That led to “a lightbulb moment” for the theater’s leadership, where they realized, “This isn't just about scraping by and trying to keep this alive. This is about building something for the future of the city because the community wants it.”

And all the big things happening for the theater this year, Fagot says, “ that's thanks to the support of the community here in L.A. and reflective of their desire for us to thrive and survive.”

It’s been a heavy week, so it’s impossible for me to tell you to go out and forget about the heaviness. But there are some fun events you can check out right here in L.A. this weekend and beyond that support our immigrant communities. Events like Saturday’s Irresistible Resistance party in Boyle Heights and the ongoing anti-ICE dinner series with Roads and Kingdoms support local businesses, and are also frankly delicious.

There’s also a lot of good to celebrate, like the first trail accessibility program opening in the Valley — the launch event is Saturday, but more trails for all is a great thing forever.

Licorice Pizza has your Grammy weekend music picks. Friday is a good night for punk, with Punk Rock Karaoke at the Lodge Room, or check out Black Flag with the Dickies & Angry Samoans at the Observatory. Plus, Tan Universe will be live at Licorice Pizza. If you’re lucky enough to score a ticket, you could attend the Annual MusiCares Person of the Year gala honoring Mariah Carey. On Saturday, you could go old-school and see New Edition, Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton at the Forum, or Jason Isbell at the Orpheum, Cate Le Bon at the Belasco, the Album Leaf at Zebulon, or the one-and-only Charo at Cal State Long Beach. And, of course, the Grammy Awards are on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena, airing live on CBS and Paramount+. You can root for top nominees like Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter and SZA.

Elsewhere on LAist, you can keep an eye on Eaglet Watch 2026, read about the origins of L.A. punk with Red Kross and visit Whammy Analog Media, a place for VHS lovers.

Events

Fela Kuti Celebration

Sunday, February 1, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. 
De La Playa Records & Leisure 
110 S. Ave. 56, Highland Park 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO 

Fela Kuti’s longtime manager, Rikki Stein, will recount stories from a life with Fela, including their time on the road with Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead and more. The party at De La Playa Records & Leisure goes all afternoon with food, drinks and music (of course).

Bier & Bavaria

Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1
Lawless Brewing 
5275 Craner Ave., North Hollywood
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

There’s no snow here, but you can embrace the East Coast’s winter storm vibes at this apres-ski themed event in North Hollywood at Bier & Bavaria. There will be “real” snow in the parking lot, shotskis at the bar, raclette, live music and more. Put on your puffy coat!

Miyawaki Forest Planting 

Saturday, January 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Gloria Molina Grand Park
200 N. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A. 
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

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Courtesy The Sugi Foundation

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High-density, native species are planted to create a self-sustaining urban forest in a method called the Miyawaki Forest, developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. Now, that science comes to L.A. in an historic environmental milestone as the first Miyawaki Forest is planted in Gloria Molina Grand Park. And you can be a part of it! The community will come together for a planting event to break ground and plant 200 plants within a 650-square-foot piece of land located in the park’s Block Two, between Olive Court and Hill Street, north of the Performance Lawn. The day also includes a land acknowledgement ceremony, a Legacy Workshop for students and more.

Tomat x Bad Luck Bagels

Sunday, February 1, 10 a.m. until sold out
6261 W. 87th St., Westchester  
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO

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Courtesy Tomat

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I’ve spent a lot of time in East London’s Brick Lane, and it’s famous for its beigels (that’s bagels to you) and smoked salt beef. Get a little taste of Jewish London here in L.A. at UK transplant hotspot Tomat in Westchester with their Sunday morning Bad Luck Bagels collaboration, featuring smoked trout and pastrami on homemade bagels. A portion of the proceeds will go to CHIRLA.

Irresistible Resistance, with a performance from San Cha

Saturday, January 31, 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Distrito Catorce 
1837 1st St., Boyle Heights
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

The tastiest way to resistance comes from Chef Jonathan Perez, who will be bringing his inventive Mexican cuisine to this food and music event supporting immigrant communities in L.A. There will be a performance from San Cha, a queer Latine musician and performance artist who "uses 'novela' inspired performances to tell stories about colonization and heartbreak with the aims of liberation and healing."

Public Sounds

Saturday, January 31, 2 p.m.
RSVP for location
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

OK, I don’t have a lot of info on this one, but synthesizers in the park sounds like a pretty great Saturday afternoon. So whether you’re a synthesizer nerd or just an outdoor music enthusiast, the electronic musician Geller will be performing an improvised synthesizer show outdoors somewhere in L.A. (RSVP for the exact location). Geller’s latest EP, Parallel Play, is out now.

The Fire Stories Project

Saturday, January 31, 1 p.m.
Main Library Community Room
Altadena Library 
2659 Lincoln Ave., Altadena
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

A playground burns in a residential neighborhood during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California on January 7, 2025.

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Josh Edelson

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AFP via Getty Images

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Theater is a powerful way to tell stories and create empathy. As we recently passed the first anniversary of the Eaton Fire, this event pairs theater-makers from In Other People's Shoes with therapists working with young people to script their experiences of the fires and share them back with the community. The performance is done by professional actors reading the young people’s words verbatim. It’s also the last day the Altadena Library is open before it closes temporarily for renovations; there will be two more performances held at Pacific Clinics in Pasadena on Sunday, February 1, and at Lineage Performing Arts Center in Pasadena on February 2.

Miles Davis Centennial with MEB

Friday, January 30, 8 p.m.
Carpenter Center
6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach
COST: FROM $38.75; MORE INFO

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Earl E. Gibson III

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Carpenter Center

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Jazz legend Miles Davis would be 100 this year; celebrate the great with his music and an all-star ensemble led by Grammy Award-winning producer/drummer Vince Wilburn Jr., and featuring Darryl Jones, Robert Irving III, Munyungo Jackson, Jean-Paul Bourelly, Antoine Roney, Keyon Harrold, DJ Logic and special guest musicians at the Carpenter Center.

Crash Out Queens: A Tiffany Townsend Recital

Through Sunday, February 1
Long Beach Opera
Altar Society
230 Pine Ave., Long Beach
COST: FROM $95; MORE INFO   

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Courtesy Long Beach Opera

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Opera can be notoriously hard for novices to approach, but Soprano Tiffany Townsend is out to change that with a bold new recital developed with the Long Beach Opera. The piece focuses on major stage moments of women in opera and the inner lives of these characters. The program takes the audience through opera history with a new lens on the lives of the women portrayed, who are often “pushed to their psychological and emotional limits.” Townsend embodies a number of recognizable female characters in opera, and incorporates dance, music and imagination into the work.